Globalizing Indian Thought through Indian Management Knowledge Tree

Abstract

This article traces the evolutionary journey of the idea of Indian management 1960 onwards. It identifies four phases of development of Indian management ideas in terms of adopting a scientific approach (1960–1980), recognizing the influence of cultural approach through indigenous theories and concepts (1980–2000), movement towards Indian ideas in management through influences of new consciousness in a ‘New Age of modernity’ (2000 onwards) and the fourth phase beginning with 2010, wherein globalizing Indian thought is gathering momentum. This journey has led to seeding and gradual growth of the Indian management knowledge tree representing the coexistence of multiple paradigms primarily represented by five thought streams as five branches of the knowledge tree. The article also views this evolutionary journey and the growth of the Indian management knowledge tree, within the context of historical changes at the global and Indian society level and also in the context of four stages of Western management thought over the last 100 years. It suggests that more than 50 years of experiences in creating new knowledge are leading us towards the development of a new ‘body of original knowledge’ (BOOK), that could become a basis for globalizing Indian thought and Indian ideas in management. The article also presents a brief discussion on some of the management centres in India, involved in globalizing Indian thought through Indian Ideas in Management.